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The Masadan task force entered Grayson space in the early morning, Austin City time. They attacked and destroyed Orbital Four, yet the station was able to get a salvo of missiles off against the attackers, destroying the Masadan flagship, MNS Abraham.

The rest of the Masadan Fleet moved to a range of six million kilometers or more and fired their missiles in large amounts, destroying Orbital Five and Six. After the attack, a newly formed Grayson-Manticoran Combined Fleet pursued the exiting attackers. A lone Masadan destroyer interrupted the GMCF's anticipated free-time.

The main Masadan task force was en route to Orbital Seven in the Blackbird System when they were intercepted by the GMCF, which went into the planned vector that was laid down by CaptainAlfredo Yu of the People's Navy. The Masadan ambush force was actually waiting for the GMCF to get into position, so that the Masadans could cross in front of the GMCF, or cross their T. Captain Yu had MNS Principality spinning on its central axis to provide better firing arcs.

The GMCF attempted to cut across the vector of the Masadan task force, but it led them into a trap set by the Masadans. At the last moment, the Masadan task force altered course that led the GMCF into another Masadan task force, which had the GMCF point defense lasers pointed in the wrong direction.

In the second salvo, both David and Austin Grayson were destroyed. Saul emerged undamaged again, and Covington was heavily damaged. Madrigal became the GMCF flagship, but was also damaged. AdmiralRaoul Courvosier was killed aboard Madrigal, and CommodoreWesley Matthews of the Covington became the new GMCF Commanding Officer.

Covington and Saul retreated, while Madrigal stayed behind to cover their retreat.

The Masadan task force gathered together and attacked Madrigal. The light cruisers MNS Noah and MNS Samson together with the destroyer MNS Throne were destroyed by the first Manticoran counter-attack, while MNS David was so badly damaged that it became a useless hulk. The destroyers MNS Cherubim and MNS Seraphim were disabled, MNS Angel and MNS Archangel took the full brunt of the Madrigal's last salvo before the Madrigal itself was destroyed. Archangel was destroyed, and the light cruiser MNS Solomon and the destroyer MNS Dominion were the only Masadan vessels still combat worthy. (HH2)